Liveline - Brendan O'Donnell was "evil" and "subhuman"

[Mr. Greasy Till]

I was listening to Liveline today (29th of January, 2009). Joe Duffy was discussing sex criminals with a prison officer called Larry. For some reason, Joe Duffy thought it was appropriate to ask Larry about the late Brendan O'Donnell, who Larry had met. Larry went onto to describe O'Donnell as "evil" and "subhuman". These comments went uncontested by Duffy who merely provided his patented "mms" and "ahhs" for emphasis.

What Brendan O'Donnell did to his victims, Imelda and Liam Riney and father Joe Walsh, was horrific. However, it should be pointed out that these tragedies had more to do with a failing of the system than O'Donnell's "subhuman" "evil". O'Donnell was clearly mentally ill. He heard voices, he lived in the wild, he slept upon his late mother's grave. He had attempted to take his own life long before he had attempted to take the life of anybody else.

On finding a dishevelled fifteen year old O'Donnell sleeping rough, farmer, Tony Muggivan won the boy's trust and attempted to get him the psychiatric help the boy obviously needed. Although Gardai, social workers and doctors also thought that this clearly was what the young O'Donnell needed, no place was available.

O'Donnell was left to live rough with his condition untreated. Imelda and Liam Riney and Joe Walsh paid the price for this, as indeed did O'Donnell. To add his account to the record, Muggivan wrote a book about his experiences with O'Donnell called 'A Tragedy Waiting to Happen'. If people are interested in the case, this book is certainly worth reading.

I contacted the Liveline programme and asked them to, at least, provide a counter-balance to Larry's unenlightened views. The request was ignored. Maybe it wouldn't have made good radio.

It's Funny Friday on tomorrow's Liveline.

[Iarmhi Gael]

I love Funny Friday's

[mccafferty cat]

O'Donnell was mentally ill, and had been failed (at some level) by the authorities. I don't think he was "evil", and I dare say that there are very few human beings who could be described as such.

Edna O'Brien's book on this subject was the greatest scandal. Nutters like her would do anything to make a bob

[john scott]

I didn't hear the comments on Liveline so I take your word for it. I agree totally with you in saying that the system failed Brendan O'Donnell. Joe Walshe was my cousin and I can assure you that the Walshe family never made comments such as these even though they suffered the loss of a son and brother. When O'Donnell died Joe Walshe's sister was asked on radio for a comment. She said "I hope Brendan O'Donnell in in a better place now than he was in this life." That is true heroism.

[toxic avenger]

Joe Duffy? Old woman hour.

Though, in fairness, not as odious as Gerry Ryan. Serious twonk.

[LeftOfCentre]

Mr Greasey Till. Well written post and It's true that very often Liveline fails to put anything into context

But. . . the whole premise and the success of the show, is because its more like a chat in a coffee shop/pub, as apposed to a debate in a formal setting.

The positives = It's a unique form of radio, totally individual to Ireland, the fact that one person's story can influence government policy with a phone call! Is amazing!

The Negatives = Very often you only get a snippet of an issue and only hear the ''populist view''... . (just like in the pub or the coffee shop)

Overall Joe Is like a friendly (sometimes opinionated) barman, with a strong social conscience, the bar is full of wingers (Irish people!) and is occasionally visited by experts and and crazy people and ''Balance'' is applied when someone is really out of line, but in general, In this pub! you can express your opinion as much as you like.

If you want an informed academic debate, you tune into morning Ireland, the news at one & drivetime,,,, If you want want to really know what people think..... Tune into live line, or go down to the pub/coffee shop.

P.S I know nothing about Brendan O'Donnell, fair play to you for attempting to give people the stories background.... Just like down the pub, it would be a very unpopular but important thing to say.

[JCSkinner]

Joe Duffy's show is evil and subhuman.

[Mr. Greasy Till]

I didn't hear the comments on Liveline so I take your word for it. I agree totally with you in saying that the system failed Brendan O'Donnell. Joe Walshe was my cousin and I can assure you that the Walshe family never made comments such as these even though they suffered the loss of a son and brother. When O'Donnell died Joe Walshe's sister was asked on radio for a comment. She said "I hope Brendan O'Donnell in in a better place now than he was in this life." That is true heroism.

Your cousins sound like truly intelligent, compassionate and civilised people. I remember one of the tabloids using the banner 'Rot in Hell' when O'Donnell died. Exactly on whose behalf was this insincerely sanctimonious outrage? I'll answer that, something for the readers to fix their abstract and impotent rage upon. That stuff sells.

If they had to bring everything back up again perhaps it could have been to ask if anything has changed in the system? Could this happen again? That would have been a valid discussion.

[Mr. Greasy Till]

Mr Greasey Till. Well written post and It's true that very often Liveline fails to put anything into context

But. . . the whole premise and the success of the show, is because its more like a chat in a coffee shop/pub, as apposed to a debate in a formal setting.

The positives = It's a unique form of radio, totally individual to Ireland, the fact that one person's story can influence government policy with a phone call! Is amazing!

The Negatives = Very often you only get a snippet of an issue and only hear the ''populist view''... . (just like in the pub or the coffee shop)

Overall Joe Is like a friendly (sometimes opinionated) barman, with a strong social conscience, the bar is full of wingers (Irish people!) and is occasionally visited by experts and and crazy people and ''Balance'' is applied when someone is really out of line, but in general, In this pub! you can express your opinion as much as you like.

If you want an informed academic debate, you tune into morning Ireland, the news at one & drivetime,,,, If you want want to really know what people think..... Tune into live line, or go down to the pub/coffee shop.

P.S I know nothing about Brendan O'Donnell, fair play to you for attempting to give people the stories background.... Just like down the pub, it would be a very unpopular but important thing to say.

The problem with Liveline's pub conversation is that it is being eavesdropped by a large portion of the country. Lazy assumptions and ignorance spread when they go unchallenged.

[LeftOfCentre]

The problem with Liveline's pub conversation is that it is being eavesdropped by a large portion of the country. Lazy assumptions and ignorance spread when they go unchallenged.

I totally agree! & fair point, but just like hearing people waffle populist nonsense in the pub, anyone has the opertunity to put them right.
I assure you that If you write a ''heart'' felt email to joe@rte.ie you will get on air to express your view....thats the beauty of it! .. . . don't be too aggressive!...don't say that you think the pub is sh1te, copy & paste some of what you wrote above.

Live line is more about gauging ''opinion'' than having a ''debate''.

btw, I am in full agreement with you generally, but i respect the show, and find it entertaining , so i am putting a counterpoint.